Coalition for Science After School Members Seek to Increase Quantity and Quality of After School Science Programs

Coalition for Science After School Members Seek to Increase Quantity and Quality of After School Science Programs
President Obama announced today the critical need for more and better science education for youth and that schools are incapable of being the only source for the distribution of knowledge. Funds, which will be distributed at the state level, will be given for innovative programs. What is California doing?

Mill Valley, CA November 23, 2009 — As the White House announced the “Education To Innovate” campaign to strengthen Americas economic competitiveness through leadership in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education, members of the Coalition for Science Afterschool (CSAS) are providing resources and expertise to enable effective science and math learning in After school.
You know the success we seek is not going to be attained by government alone, Mr. Obama said kicking off the initiatives. It depends on the dedication of students and parents, and the commitment of private citizens, organizations and companies. It depends on all of us.
Coaltion Steering Committee Member and Director of the Lawrence Hall of Science Elizabeth Stage, who attended the event said Enrollment has dramatically increased in after school programs, creating a great opportunity to increase the amount of quality science that kids do, yet only half of the afterschool programs we surveyed do science. The problem is not that they dont want to, the problem is they need materials and training that will allow them to do so effectively. The Coalition is headquarted at the Lawrence Hall of Science, and the Hall provides key research, resources, and expertise to the organization.
Time Warner Cable (TWC) has partnered with CSAS on their newest and largest philanthropic initiative, Connect a Million Minds, which will introduce youth and their parents to important opportunities to increase their excitement and involvment in after school learning opportunies in math and science.
The Coalition for Science After School is delighted to be partnering with TWC to advocate for high quality STEM opportunities for all kids, said Dennis Bartels, Chair of the CSAS Executive Committee and Executive Director of the Exploratorium, The creation of the national directory of after school STEM is an important step in realizing our vision of increasing access and opportunities in STEM.”
Coalition members have first-hand experience in increasing young peoples interest in science through after school programming, and are working together to increase the quality and quantity of science programs nationwide. The Lawrence Hall of Science, like many member organizations, has spent decades providing science classes and camps to children as well as face-to-face science workshops for instructors. Members are consistently introducing innovative programs that dramatically increase and improve science education after school. For example, the Hall is currently developing AfterSchool KidzScience, a set of curricula designed specifically for out-of-school settings. These activities require minimal time for preparation and cleanup and dont depend on instructors science background.
We know its important not just to provide programs for kids. We also need to support instuctors, so our AfterSchool KidzScience training videos have been designed specifially for people who lead after school science activities and the videos are available on YouTube to ensure they can be easily accessed, said Elizabeth Stage.
In a world where over half of the fastest growing careers require substantial science and math skills, its astonishing that, even in technology hubs like the San Franciso Bay Area, the average elementary school child receives less than one hour per week of science education. Afterschool programs, on average, provide an hour a week of science, doubling the learning a student recieves, so it is critical that the hour is filled with high quality experiences.
Over the past several weeks, Coalition members have worked with TWC to launch its volunteer-based phase of the CAMM initiative. Hall staff are developing activities on the Coaltions behalf that will be used in CAMM community outreach opportunities. In early December, the Coalition will launch a new website, www.afterschoolscience.org, featuring tools for parents, organizations, programs, funders, and advocates that will enable continued growth of STEM learning opportuniites.
About The Coalition for Science After School:
The Coalition for Science After School is a network of over 600 organizations in the field of after school, science education, and youth development. Individuals may also join. The coalition is committed to improving the quality and quantity of science learning opportunities for youth in afterschool programs.
About Lawrence Hall of Science:
The mission of Lawrence Hall of Science (LHS) is to inspire and foster the learning of science and mathematics for all. LHS is the public science center of the University of California, Berkeley, and an innovative leader in the field of science and mathematics education. Engaging students and their families in the fascination behind science and math, LHS connects with classrooms, schools and communities. The Hall also designs and disseminates effective instructional materials and exhibits while creating distinctive learning and leadership opportunities for educators. LHS is committed to serving all, including those with limited access to science and mathematics.

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